The death toll increased 6 percent in 2016, though it still is lower than it was in 2005, when it began a sharp decline, or in 1975 when the U.S. Department of Transportation began keeping track. Fatality rates per population and per mile traveled have dropped even more rapidly.

The overall crash death rate per population has fallen by nearly half since the 1970s, but in the age of distracted driving, it increased 5 percent from 2015 to 2016

Modern cars that are equipped with modern electronics are usually safer and can prevent millions of injuries, but in turn, costs more in terms of insurance and repairs.